The Houston Rockets have suspended first-round pick Royce White

[Purch]

The Houston Rockets have suspended first-round pick Royce White for "refusing to provide services" required by his contract.



General manager Daryl Morey said Sunday that the team will continue to work with White in hopes of finding a resolution.
Last week, White refused his assignment to Houston's D-League affiliate. The 16th overall pick in the June draft has spent most of the season on Houston's inactive list while he and the team figure out how to handle his anxiety disorder and overall mental health.
The 6-foot-8 White missed the first week of training camp. He flew to Detroit with the team for the season opener and then traveled by bus to Atlanta and Memphis for games. But he soon stopped participating in team activities, saying his mental health took precedence over his NBA career.




http://www.nba.com/2013/news/01/06/rockets-royce-white-suspended.ap/index.html?rss=true

[OhNoTimNoSho]

he be buggin out on twitter, its good to watch. Dude is a spoiled brat who clearly just whines to get his way. Its like he cant comprehend the ass reaming he is about to receive from the NBA.

[TonyD]

It's like he wants to be blackballed.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Why didn't he come out with this load of horse shit before he signed his $3 million contract?
Because he is a scumbag who wanted to secure a contract then demand shit because he thought he had leverage. He should be suspended for the remainder of the season or the Rockets should void is contract completely so he no longer continues to make money from the league. He keeps saying basketball isn't worth his life. Why not retire then? The Rockets clearly have no interest in helping you ( which is sort of ****ed up).

[Horatio33]

he be buggin out on twitter, its good to watch. Dude is a spoiled brat who clearly just whines to get his way. Its like he cant comprehend the ass reaming he is about to receive from the NBA.

Couldn't be further from the truth. Kid has some serious issues that stop him living his life.

"If I was in that situation I would do whatever they asked, he's being paid to play ball!"

Royce has had these issues before basketball, he will have them after basketball. Rockets knew this but still picked him.

Royce isn't blameless, he could have not entered the draft. But his dream was right in front of his face. No one would turn it down.

[FireDavidKahn]

Couldn't be further from the truth. Kid has some serious issues that stop him living his life.

"If I was in that situation I would do whatever they asked, he's being paid to play ball!"

Royce has had these issues before basketball, he will have them after basketball. Rockets knew this but still picked him.

Royce isn't blameless, he could have not entered the draft. But his dream was right in front of his face. No one would turn it down.
What? No they don't. They only "stopped him from living his life" once he got to the NBA. I've followed this guy since his early days in high school and he has ALWAYS been a douche.

[Horatio33]

What? No they don't. They only "stopped him from living his life" once he got to the NBA. I've followed this guy since his early days in high school and he has ALWAYS been a douche.

Why has he been a douche?

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8096247/on-road-nba-draft-prospect-royce-white

[knickswin]

I don't completely discredit people with mental illness ... but at the same time ... people are weak. too many times I've seen people take an excuse and run with it. royce has been a fool, and I dont think he can blame it all on his anxiety.

[FireDavidKahn]

Why has he been a douche?

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8096247/on-road-nba-draft-prospect-royce-white
He has always acted like he is better than everyone else and always used to get into trouble.

[fsvr54]

So glad we didn't end up drafting this joke.

[PJR]

He is making himself look more and more of a fool each day. Who is his agent/representation? Talk about a diasater of a client. :oldlol:

[wakencdukest]

I don't completely discredit people with mental illness ... but at the same time ... people are weak. too many times I've seen people take an excuse and run with it. royce has been a fool, and I dont think he can blame it all on his anxiety.


This guy has a behavioral disorder, it's not just anxiety. He somehow got it into his head that he is not responsible for his behavior and can manipulate people to get what he wants. If the Rockets were smart, they would play hardball with him and not give in, Because if they did they would be playing right into his hands, and he would just keep asking for more. The Rockets did the right thing, and they should pursue voiding his contract. White will either give in when he realizes that his career is about to be over or he will just give up and walk away. There' really no other option.

[bokes15]

Royce isnt the only one with an anxiety disorder. But he's probably the only guy who can say he makes around 60k per week from his job while having yet to report to work.

[OhNoTimNoSho]

Couldn't be further from the truth. Kid has some serious issues that stop him living his life.

"If I was in that situation I would do whatever they asked, he's being paid to play ball!"

Royce has had these issues before basketball, he will have them after basketball. Rockets knew this but still picked him.

Royce isn't blameless, he could have not entered the draft. But his dream was right in front of his face. No one would turn it down.

I understand he has anxiety but its not the paralyzing anxiety he is making it out to be. There are plenty of people with his problems that have to fight through it. He clearly will not even attempt and is sitting around whining like a bitch. The problems isnt anxiety its his attitude which is preventing any kind of progress. The Rockets basically just said, your move Royce. If he does nothing hell be out of the league soon.

[bokes15]

I honestly feel like the anti-depressants he takes in addition to the bad advice he gets from the people around him who seem to work as enablers are just really shooting him in the foot in regards to an NBA career. He considers pretty much anything he doesn't like to be "unhealthy." I hate to say it but he needs to get on with his life and try and find a new career.

[frmsea2okc]

Royce White is the biggest fool in the league. He's using this anxiety as an excuse. It's obvious. I have family/close friends with anxiety and it isn't so debilitating it completely shut down your life. If royce wants to be a f*cking ditch digger that's cool. World needs em. But he's wasting all his god given talent. The rockets AREN'T stupid I'm sure they asked if he'd be able to function in the league and I'm sure he said whatever he could to get that paycheck. Now he's got the for sure money and the excuses roll in. I have never heard of someone with an anxiety disorder that prevents him from flying or being in the spotlight (I.e. basketball game) but then ranting and raving on Twitter like a primodonna. He seems incredibly self centered. If he can't cut it then he shouldn't get paid. He should know that going in. You dont join the army then decide its not for you. You get booted the f**k out. Same here. You want limelight and millions $? Then play ball! Otherwise shut the hell up. If you offered anyone in the WORLD millions for airplane rides, doing what they love (royces case ball) and travel ling the country they'd jump on it. I used to root for this kid (note the use of the word kid) then I felt bad for him, now I really dislike him. ROYCE be a man and ball. You have the winning lotto ticket and you're too much of a ***** to cash it. Provide for you and your family don't be a dissapointment.

Again, royce if you don't want to play ball or can't handle it then wash out. Get lost. Go wait tables. But so far the rockets gave you the opportunity of a lifetime then offered free therapy, and every ammenity you need. All you have to do is sit in a goddamn plane!!!

[Real Men Wear Green]

Why didn't he come out with this load of horse shit before he signed his $3 million contract?
Because he is a scumbag who wanted to secure a contract then demand shit because he thought he had leverage. He should be suspended for the remainder of the season or the Rockets should void is contract completely so he no longer continues to make money from the league. He keeps saying basketball isn't worth his life. Why not retire then? The Rockets clearly have no interest in helping you ( which is sort of ****ed up).
This is the most valid point I've seen made on this whole fiasco. Too bad he can't get himself to fly, now go find a job where you don't have to.

[wpdougie2180]

Question to anyone who knows the answer how did he play at Iowa State with all these problems but now he can't play for the Rockets? Makes no sense

[FreezingTsmoove]

Question to anyone who knows the answer how did he play at Iowa State with all these problems but now he can't play for the Rockets? Makes no sense

He drove to every game with the occasional flight

[iDunk]

What a ****ing idiot.

[C-Webb4]

I have family/close friends with anxiety and it isn't so debilitating it completely shut down your life.
I have an anxiety disorder and that statement simply isn't true. On Royce White specifically from everything i've seen and read about his, it has it's limitations but it's something he's thus far in his life been able to work through for the most part. But as a general statement that couldn't be further from the truth. This is coming from someone (me) who's anxiety disorder was so severe at one point that I had a few months where I couldn't so much as leave my own bedroom.

[Myth]

It's like he wants to be blackballed.

No homo?

[upside24]

This guy has been nothing but problems for the Rockets.

At least they got a beast in Harden to help them forget about this headcase.

So many D League players out there dying to get a chance and this guy won't take a Xanax and fly on a plane.

[IGOTGAME]

I hope he gets his money and never plays in the NBA. The guy is stupid, immature and a disgrace to people with mental health problems.

[Shepseskaf]

Why did they draft him? Were his anxiety issues not discussed beforehand? Sounds like a bad job by Morey.

[redhonda76]

The Rockets should just terminate his contract. No team needs this type of distraction.

[Jyap9675]

Waste of a draft pick, someone more deserving of playing in the NBA coulda taken his spot...

[TheAesirsFinest]

To clear something up: his issue isn't the flying thing. It's the fact that he wants the organization to agree to follow medical advice...probably on paper. For a business like NBA franchises, that puts them at such a disadvantage - if Royce blooms, becomes an important piece to our team, has a bout of anxiety a week before the playoffs, gets told by his doc to take the summer off, the Rockets can't do crap about it.

That's the cause of this months-long feud.

[JerryWest]

Dumbest man to never play the nba :roll:

[Scholar]

I used to try to give him the benefit of the doubt, but this is just ridiculous.

[frmsea2okc]

I have an anxiety disorder and that statement simply isn't true. On Royce White specifically from everything i've seen and read about his, it has it's limitations but it's something he's thus far in his life been able to work through for the most part. But as a general statement that couldn't be further from the truth. This is coming from someone (me) who's anxiety disorder was so severe at one point that I had a few months where I couldn't so much as leave my own bedroom.

I get it. I dated a girl who had anxiety REALLY bad and I'm NOT trying to discount your or royces struggles but every person has struggles. Ever man has to play with the hand he's dealt. Royce has a straight flush, unlimited athletic ability, vision, bball iq, can rebound and play some point but he's making excuses.

We all have problems but I simply don't by the anxiety being so strong he can't go to work, everyone on this board would kill to be in the league. I don't know why you stayed in your room for a month?... But sometimes you gotta just suck it up and go to work. I think royce has a family, he needs to provide for them as a man.

Again I DON'T know your situation and can't really speak on it but I would guess most everyone on this board agrees with me. Royce needs to man up and play or go flip burgers. The rockets don't owe him anything else.

[OhNoTimNoSho]

The funny thing is... if he tried to play and you could really see the anxiety is affecting him and he tweeted shit like "Damn shit is too much for me tonight Cant play" Then people would be like wow hes trying someone has to do something and the Rockets would do whatever is needed. Instead hes just sitting there bullshitting quoting ****ing Dalai Llamma and buddha and shit, hes an incredible jackass. I am shocked he doesn't have one person close to him thats telling him to do the right thing. He probably shut himself out from anyone like that and surrounded himself with yesmen

[Blue&Orange]

Apparently he has no anxiety towards using twitter.


NBA should void his contract and suspend him until the contract he signed was over. Lebron played one final with anxiety issues.

[SpecialQue]

As someone who has dealt with a lot of people with mental disorders (not just on ISH), I can't stand when people won't get help, hide behind their illness, and blame others for "not being supportive."

[eriX]

Maccas here he comes :cheers:

[Blue&Orange]

As someone who has dealt with a lot of people with mental disorders (not just on ISH), I can't stand when people won't get help, hide behind their illness, and blame others for "not being supportive."
:lol So true, i've already urged Pauk to seek professional help at least 3 times.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Royce had no problem playing in the Summer League in Vegas. Yet he can't even make bus trips down to Southern Texas for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers D-League team.

[T-Time3]

daryl morey please, get rid of this douche.
cut your losses

[Pushxx]

I expected his condition to get better, but after watching that documentary on draft night, I realized the only direction he would go is down.

It's a shame because his skill alone made him a top 10-quality player in this draft.

[rezznor]

To clear something up: his issue isn't the flying thing. It's the fact that he wants the organization to agree to follow medical advice...probably on paper. For a business like NBA franchises, that puts them at such a disadvantage - if Royce blooms, becomes an important piece to our team, has a bout of anxiety a week before the playoffs, gets told by his doc to take the summer off, the Rockets can't do crap about it.

That's the cause of this months-long feud.


all the addendums that royce wants added to his contract regarding the rockets adhering to royce's doctor's orders are illegal under the CBA. the rockets couldn't do it even if they wanted to.

[C-Webb4]

I get it. I dated a girl who had anxiety REALLY bad and I'm NOT trying to discount your or royces struggles but every person has struggles. Ever man has to play with the hand he's dealt. Royce has a straight flush, unlimited athletic ability, vision, bball iq, can rebound and play some point but he's making excuses.

We all have problems but I simply don't by the anxiety being so strong he can't go to work, everyone on this board would kill to be in the league. I don't know why you stayed in your room for a month?... But sometimes you gotta just suck it up and go to work. I think royce has a family, he needs to provide for them as a man.

Again I DON'T know your situation and can't really speak on it but I would guess most everyone on this board agrees with me. Royce needs to man up and play or go flip burgers. The rockets don't owe him anything else.
My statement isn't in support of Royce and his behavior so 2/3rds of this post are not really something i'm responding to. But to the relevant part, I always love how people who don't really know what it's like to suffer with an anxiety disorder always say "everyone has problems, deal with it." When the problems are finances, relationships, family issues, those are things you "just deal with." When your issues are intense fear which cause physical symptoms within your body that feel so intense you have trouble walking out your own front door, there's not really a comparison to that. Maybe someone who's been held at gun point, just imagine having that type of reaction for no apparent cause without having a gun present.

But as for the other stuff you said I agree. Dude needs a new career he obviously isn't in the right position to be able to handle this one.

[bdreason]

I've dealt with severe anxiety and depression, but the truth is, if he can't handle the pressure of being an NBA player, then he needs to move on. At this point, it seems like he's doing everything he can to just keep getting paid, even though he realizes it's never going to work.

[MetsPackers]

There are people out there in the world with far worse anxiety who probably wake up every day and have to work jobs they hate/make them anxious, but they work through it becuase they NEED to to survive. Nobody's giving them a handout or caring to their every need, and this little bytch wants ever more after the Rockets did everything to accomodate him? Fvck this entitled fool I hope he nevers suits up for the NBA again and becomes a janitor somewhere making shyt money doing something he hates to oay rent; then maybe he'll realize just how lucky he was.

He even took it to another level saying he wants it in writing that the Rockets will follow his doctors advice. That is asking the Rockets to contractually obligate themselves to be at the beck and call of Royce's private doctor who probably changes his diapers and reads him bed time stories in a big crib during their therapy sessions. He could just call the Rockets and be like "hey Royce needs X Y and Z plus like 15 more mins of playing time" and they'd HAVE to do it. What a spoiled fvcking brat asking from ultrasupermegastar treatment as a scrub/ Fvck you Royce White you'll never have a music career either you suck nuts

[AAckley1]

To clear something up: his issue isn't the flying thing. It's the fact that he wants the organization to agree to follow medical advice...probably on paper. For a business like NBA franchises, that puts them at such a disadvantage - if Royce blooms, becomes an important piece to our team, has a bout of anxiety a week before the playoffs, gets told by his doc to take the summer off, the Rockets can't do crap about it.

That's the cause of this months-long feud.

He also is (was?) refusing to see Rockets doctors (even 3rd party doctors unassociated with the team). There were reports that his doctor & Royce mentioned that he needed a certain amount of GUARANTEED playing time to alleviate some of his anxiety problems. So the Rockets tell him he can start every game and get starters minutes for their D-league team (with NON-FLYING TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED) to prove he's atleast dedicated and he refuses that.

When I first heard about this guy and subsequently watched him play, I was nothing but a fan. Its hard not to like a guy with his talents at that size, but its becoming more and more evident that he's using his condition as a scapegoat. Its almost disrespectful to the everyday Americans who still perform in their profession with anxiety.

[Unforgiven]

He goes about it the wrong way, don't like White's lack of accountability.

He comes across like Houstan have hung him out to dry, and does it on a public forum.

If he was legit and serious, he should keep it behind closed doors.

The start of the season I really hoped he would sucseed, now I just want him and his drama to stop.

[brantonli]

I don't see any chance of this being resolved this season at all. There is no way the Rockets can integrate White into the team without some serious chemistry issues (the rotation being set quite well, arrangements can't just be set up suddenly) plus the Rockets need to focus on making the playoffs, not on distractions like White. I see the Rockets basically saying to White 'get your act together and come back next season'.

[andremiller07]

If he gets his mind right he can be as valuable to the Rockets as anyone not named Harden imo. Keeping with the Harden theme, Royce needs to Harden the **** up and do a bit of time in the D-Leauge and earn his way into the NBA where his talents could shine the man's skills/basketball IQ cannot be questioned.

As far as this flying thing surely there is some medication they can give him while hes on the plane.

[Jyap9675]

Lol this NBA draft net article about him was pretty spot on.

http://nbadraft.net/players/royce-white


NBA Comparison: Anthony Mason/Boris Diaw


Was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in high school, which could lead to any number of problems at the next level and has been mentioned as a major cause for concern by a number of scouts. He has had trouble flying and a report surfaced that he chose to go to Iowa State and not Baylor because he didn't want to fly there. ...


Overall: White is a high risk/high reward prospect if there ever was one ... His development will have to be handled very carefully by whichever team drafts him ... If he's selected by a team that is willing to both be patient and let him play to his strengths, then he very well could be the steal of the draft ...

Well there you go, Rockets GM deserves this for taking a risky player. They were probably thinking that $3 million is probably a good investment, and the rewards will significantly outweigh the investment in the long term.

[bagelred]

I don't understand.

Why doesn't Royce White just play home games for now and not travel on road games? At least Rockets would have him for half the games, and maybe would help Royce get more comfortable with team and help overcome his anxieties.

Not perfect, but if he's on roster anyway....just show up for home games. Better than nothing. I don't get it. :confusedshrug:

[Blue&Orange]

My statement isn't in support of Royce and his behavior so 2/3rds of this post are not really something i'm responding to. But to the relevant part, I always love how people who don't really know what it's like to suffer with an anxiety disorder always say "everyone has problems, deal with it." When the problems are finances, relationships, family issues, those are things you "just deal with." When your issues are intense fear which cause physical symptoms within your body that feel so intense you have trouble walking out your own front door, there's not really a comparison to that. Maybe someone who's been held at gun point, just imagine having that type of reaction for no apparent cause without having a gun present.

But as for the other stuff you said I agree. Dude needs a new career he obviously isn't in the right position to be able to handle this one.
Anxiety problems aren't that uncommon, even if incidental, a lot of people had them.

Royce doctor just found his cash cow.

[C-Webb4]

This has been said before but the worst part of it is, he came into the league basically saying he would be an advocate and a voice for the mental health community. Instead, thus far he's been a total head case (unrelated to anxiety) and the whole world is watching him. So the next time someone with an anxiety disorder comes along and wants to make it to the NBA a GM and coaching staff may be like "hmmm, Player X has talent but remember what happened with that Royce White guy? Maybe we shouldn't take our chances." He has had the total opposite affect of what he claimed to be trying to do and I for one am very disappointed.

[C-Webb4]

Anxiety problems aren't that uncommon, even if incidental, a lot of people had them.

Royce doctor just found his cash cow.
Nor is it uncommon for a lot of those people to go through their lives highly sedated on some strong ass meds. A lot of people don't just push through it. You may see them at work, but not really know how they suffer in their day to day. They work because unlike in Royce's case, you actually have no choice because regular people don't get paid to whine on twitter.

[JerryWest]

Kick that piece of shit out of the league!

[brantonli]

Imagine an office worker who comes in as a fresh graduate from a top uni, sits down the first day and demands that he is given different circumstances than from the rest of his graduate class. Not only that, he refuses to work unless completely approved by his doctors.

You'd fire his ass within 10 seconds.

[C-Webb4]

Imagine an office worker who comes in as a fresh graduate from a top uni, sits down the first day and demands that he is given different circumstances than from the rest of his graduate class. Not only that, he refuses to work unless completely approved by his doctors.

You'd fire his ass within 10 seconds.
:oldlol: Yeah, the real world isn't as kind as the Rockets have been in all honesty. I confided in a co-worker about mine privately and it somehow made it's way to my boss. Suddenly within a week of him finding out, I got fired/replaced. Supposedly unrelated (of course they're gonna say that) but everything was perfectly good before that. And that was without making any demands. If prior to even coming to work I told them I have anxiety and gave them a list of demands they must follow for me to report to them they'd fire my ass on the spot.

[brantonli]

:oldlol: Yeah, the real world isn't as kind as the Rockets have been in all honesty. I confided in a co-worker about mine privately and it somehow made it's way to my boss. Suddenly within a week of him finding out, I got fired/replaced. Supposedly unrelated (of course they're gonna say that) but everything was perfectly good before that. And that was without making any demands. If prior to even coming to work I told them I have anxiety and gave them a list of demands they must follow for me to report to them they'd fire my ass on the spot.


Oh man that really sucks to hear. Did you manage to find another job afterwards though?

[C-Webb4]

Oh man that really sucks to hear. Did you manage to find another job afterwards though?
Yeah I did, and I had considered pursuing legal action against them, but for one it's something that would've been extremely difficult to prove and then it wasn't a job that was paying me all that much anyways so I figured it wouldn't be worth it.

[Blue&Orange]

:oldlol: Yeah, the real world isn't as kind as the Rockets have been in all honesty. I confided in a co-worker about mine privately and it somehow made it's way to my boss. Suddenly within a week of him finding out, I got fired/replaced. Supposedly unrelated (of course they're gonna say that) but everything was perfectly good before that. And that was without making any demands. If prior to even coming to work I told them I have anxiety and gave them a list of demands they must follow for me to report to them they'd fire my ass on the spot.
Sorry to hear. Do you have twitter? maybe you could share your story with him.

Hell someone should link this thread on his twitter.

[C-Webb4]

Sorry to hear. Do you have twitter? maybe you could share your story with him.

Hell someone should link this thread on his twitter.
That'd be awesome if he would actually read it.

[lilbeastnani]

According to a person familiar with the situation, White wants the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association, the Rockets and himself to sign a document detailing his wishes for the mental health protocol, and White has told the Rockets he won't show up for work until all parties sign the document.

The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the document was supposed to remain confidential. The person added that such agreements are banned under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

According to the uniform player contract detailed in the CBA, "no amendments to the form of the Uniform Player Contract provided for by Section 1 of this Article shall be permitted," and if a team or player agree on such an amendment, "such Contract or subsequent amendment, as the case may be, shall be disapproved by the Commissioner, and consequently, rendered null and void."
While the Rockets mostly have been quiet about the situation, White has not. He has been outspoken on Twitter and in his statement -- a passionate and eloquent defender of mental health at times. He has alienated his employer and fans with his approach at other times.

Is he, and the 3 million they're paying him over the next 2 seasons really so important to them that they will keep coddling him even while he openly talks shit about them on twitter and refuses to do anything he's asked to do? This is a billion dollar industry we're talking about it. It will continue to be whether Royce White ever plays a game in it or not. It's a dream job that millions of hopefuls each year would do anything to be able to play in, and here he is collecting paychecks and sitting on his ass talking about protocol. I don't feel sorry for this dude anymore. His 15 minutes are over.

[MetsPackers]

Is he, and the 3 million they're paying him over the next 2 seasons really so important to them that they will keep coddling him even while he openly talks shit about them on twitter and refuses to do anything he's asked to do? This is a billion dollar industry we're talking about it. It will continue to be whether Royce White ever plays a game in it or not. It's a dream job that millions of hopefuls each year would do anything to be able to play in, and here he is collecting paychecks and sitting on his ass talking about protocol. I don't feel sorry for this dude anymore. His 15 minutes are over.

After reading that article, what the Rockets should do is this:

-sign Royce's agreement
-have his contract voided under the CBA because that's what it says happens in the case of such an agreement

:roll:

Royce would be so mad his twitter would have a meltdown; but fvck this guy, pull some slick legal shit on him

[OhNoTimNoSho]

I've dealt with severe anxiety and depression, but the truth is, if he can't handle the pressure of being an NBA player, then he needs to move on. At this point, it seems like he's doing everything he can to just keep getting paid, even though he realizes it's never going to work.

honestly I think he genuinely wants to play but is just too scared. Hes even scared of the D league for some reason. Im sure the D league will be full of dudes looking to exploit his weakness too.